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Desfilis advises companies and their executives. Beyond the mere application of legal rules, our lawyers design sustainable, forward-looking solutions tailored to your strategic objectives.

We cultivate, Attentiveness, Excellence and Proximity, in the practice of our profession. At Desfilis, these three values are not abstract concepts, they are embedded in our DNA.

An independent French business law firm

For over a century, Desfilis has advised investors, companies and their executives, supporting the growth and succession of family-owned groups.

As an independent French business law firm, we preserve our freedom of counsel, enabling us to place a bespoke approach at the very core of our identity. Far removed from standardized solutions, our practice is grounded in attentive listening and a nuanced understanding of our clients’ businesses and strategic challenges.

The firm brings together seven complementary areas of expertise to deliver tailored support, combining the rigor of advisory work with the effectiveness of litigation. M&A transactions, Family Governance, Tax, Employment Law, Restructuring, Commercial Litigation, and Real Estate operations and asset management: our multidisciplinary teams transform each challenge into a driver of performance and legal certainty.

“Working alongside our clients, our lawyers have developed expertise grounded in trust, high standards and attentive listening. These values shape our commitment to every project we undertake. Our ambition? To deliver rigorous, well-balanced counsel that serves our clients’ interests over the long term.”

José Desfilis

Senior Partner

Our history

A Century of Entrepreneurial Commitment

Founded in 1920 by the former General Counsel of the Renault Group, and later taken over by José Desfilis in 1985, the firm is rooted in a long tradition of excellence and innovation in service of the business world. Its history reflects a deep connection to the French industrial and economic landscape, marked from the outset by a commitment to combining legal rigor with a keen understanding of companies’ operational challenges. This pioneering approach has shaped a unique culture, where the highest level of technical expertise is paired with a pragmatic and strategic vision.

Over the decades, the firm has supported the transformation of the French economy, advising both family-owned businesses and major industrial or financial players. Built on longlasting relationships with its clients, the firm has continuously adapted to changes in the legal and economic environment while maintaining a constant commitment to quality and dedication. Its teams, driven by the same entrepreneurial spirit as their clients, have developed recognized expertise in complex and high-impact transactions.

Today, with a century of experience, the firm brings this tradition to serve companies of all sizes and their leaders. It is involved at every stage of business life: growth, succession, governance, and transformation. Combining rigor, expertise, and a long-term vision, it continues to stand as a trusted strategic partner, true to its original mission: supporting the ambition and long-term success of the businesses it serves.

Valeurs

Attentiveness

We place attentiveness at the heart of our practice to grasp the uniqueness of each project and ensure that our legal advice is perfectly aligned with your strategic objectives.

Excellence

This approach is complemented by an unwavering commitment to precision and technical mastery, enabling us to deliver analyses that are reliable, rigorous, and immediately actionable.

Proximity

Proximity guides our client relationships. We maintain constant availability, acting as a true trusted partner—accessible, responsive, and fully engaged in day-to-day matters.

Our team

Our lawyers combine expertise and commitment to provide tailored solutions, drawing on a deep understanding of each client’s business and challenges to deliver advice that is both precise and relevant.

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Discover Our Firm

Rankings

Our expertise is consistently recognised by leading French and international industry rankings.

News

Discover the latest news, milestones and initiatives that shape the life and growth of our firm.

Commitments

Throughout the year, we support concrete initiatives that reflect our core values.

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Looking to thrive in a firm that values excellence and teamwork? Join us to sharpen your skills, work on complex matters, and embrace new challenges.

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